Wayman Tisdale Dies at 44
Man, I just heard about this. I thought for sure he was gonna beat this. He was a bad ass bass player. I really fell into Smooth Jazz after diggin’ his and Norman Brown’s music.
From Fox 23 in Tulsa (Thanks Greg Moore):
Wayman Tisdale, a Tulsa native, former OU basketball great, NBA superstar, and jazz musician has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 44 Friday morning at St. John Medical Center.
For the last two years Wayman had been battling cancer, and had one of his legs removed below the knee last year to help with the fight.
Tisdale was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma, he also spent 12 seasons in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.
He averaged 15 points and 6 years during his time in the League…topping out at 22 and 7 in 1990 with the Kings.
Before Tyler Hansbrough accomplished the feat this year, there wasn’t a three time first team All-America since 1985…when Patrick Ewing, Keith Lee and Tisdale did their thing.
Dude always had a smile on his face, but he was a competitor. He and Keith Lee of Memphis would have some battles. Both were prolific scorers and I couldn’t wait to read the paper the next day to see if Wayman hit 50…as he was prone to do.
He averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds during his NBA career.
Then the music came. He released 8 CD’s:
- Power Forward (1995)
- In The Zone (1996)
- Decisions (1998)
- Face to Face (2001)
- Presents 21 Days (2003)
- Hang Time (2004)
- Way Up! (2006)
- Rebound (2008)
He was diagnosed with cancer after falling down a flight of stairs February 8th 2007 and breaking his leg.
He credits Bobby Knight with giving him the strength to fight after the Olympic coach pushed him like only Bobby Knight can.
He taught himself music. There were no lessons.
His website.
God bless his family.
This is very unfortunate. I knew he was ill but didn’t think it was that serious. I really enjoyed his music. He will be missed.
RIP….
This was the most random thing — it’s just unbelievable. It makes me think twice about carrying my twins up and down 4 flights of stairs every day. Sad.
Yeah, it was a total shock. I was writing a Friday Fire piece about the NBA’s image and lost all thought reading this on another writer’s page.
I hear you on thinking twice, this one hit a little different than others.
Some of my clearest memories of Tisdale go back to his playing days at Oklahoma. He was awesome. That left-handed shot of his — the range — the smooth delivery — his rebounding…Simply a magnificent player. I really enjoyed their tournament runs and wished they’d had more success (Billy Tubbs nothwithstanding). Tis was the man. Wow. Just sad all over right now. 44 is too damned young!!!
RIP Waymon. Such a talented, beautiful man.
I was shocked to hear that Waymon had passed away. He was a definitely a very talented man. Rest in peace. Prayers to the family.
Wayman was a wonderful human being and talent that everyone should pattern their children after.I personally didn’t know him but I’m a big OU fan and I watched him play several times when he was there,and I almost felt as if I lost a brother when I heard he died.That’s how much he meant to OU, and the entire state and country.He will be greatly missed. RIP Wayman….
God bless! I love the song Toby Keith wrote in memory of you! Truely an inspiration!!